Cabaret adds song, dance to homecoming weekend

Cabaret will sing and dance its way into the homecoming weekend at 8 p.m. Friday at Jones Theater in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center.

'It's a one night, one chance to see this show,' said Dr. Leta Horan, director of Cabaret and associate professor of keyboard studies.

According to Horan, a cabaret is a musical comedy show featuring singing and dancing. It is usually performed in supper clubs where people are having dinner and drinks.

The Baylor University Cabaret began in 1960 and has been a part of the homecoming tradition for 38 years.

Baylor's Cabaret consists of a variety of performers including comedians, Baylor graduates, and for the last 10 years, the Baylor Showtime! organization.

The repertoire for this year's show includes the swing songs 'It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing' and 'In The Mood.' This year marks what would have been George Gerswin's 100th birthday, and with that in mind, Showtime! will perform a tribute to his music.

'I'm expecting it to be fabulous,' Horan said.

A forehand arrangement of 'My Fair Lady' will be presented by Horan and her colleague, Dr. Thelma Cooper, assistant professor of keyboard studies, at the Cabaret.

According to Cooper, it is her first time performing in the Cabaret, but she has been to many in the past.

'I am looking forward to this year's show,' Cooper said. 'I enjoy the kind of music being performed in the show.'

Charles Thomas, a Baylor graduate and faculty member of the Hankamer School of Business, has performed in Cabaret three times. His most recent performance was seven years ago.

'There's nothing quite like the feeling you get when you're in the spotlight,' Thomas said. 'If your songs have a message and the technique is good, then being on stage is like getting a hug from 300 people at once.'